Senior Specialist Business Development (Gaming)

Job Description Job Purpose The Senior Specialist Business Development (Gaming) is responsible for supporting the growth of Dubai’s gaming sector by identifying and executing key programs that strengthen the local ecosystem, fostering business opportunities and industry partnerships, enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness, and coordinating cross-sector ecosystem development. The Senior Specialist Business Development (Gaming) is responsible for showcasing local talent at global forums, building market access pathways, and ensuring that Dubai-based gaming businesses are connected to funding, infrastructure, and policy support. He/she is expected to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the gaming industry and manage complex stakeholder coordination and program delivery in alignment with Dubai’s strategic priorities. The role holder is expected to demonstrate strong teamwork skills and carry out his/her duties in accordance with the relevant business policies and procedures. No. Key Focus Area Key Accountabilities General Responsibilities • Implement the operational requirements for Business Development (Gaming), in line with the overall Business Development (Gaming)strategy, vision and goals. • Work collaboratively with the Business Development (Gaming) team and wider Gaming department to ensure smooth and on-time delivery of services to gaming businesses • Provide metrics and supporting documents to the Head of Business Development (Gaming), to support with the monthly KPI reports Local Business Support and Ecosystem Engagement • Serve as the primary liaison for Dubai-based gaming companies, understanding their growth stage, challenges, and opportunities. • Support businesses in accessing government programs such as grants, tax incentives, funding tools, and development support. • Recommend customized interventions based on business needs, linking to relevant internal departments. • Build sector-specific directories and maintain updated profiles of gaming businesses to inform initiatives and matchmaking. • Identify barriers to growth and propose systemic improvements to enable ecosystem development. Partnerships and International Outreach • Facilitate partnerships between local gaming companies and global game publishers, platforms, and service providers. • Coordinate local participation in international expos and pitch Dubai-based talent, games, and gaming businesses. • Source and secure speaking and representation opportunities for Dubai gaming companies in global gaming forums. • Track international partnership outcomes and conversions into long-term growth and visibility for local gaming businesses. • Develop feedback loops with represented gaming businesses to improve future representation and support mechanisms. Infrastructure and Ecosystem Enablement • Work with infrastructure partners and other government entities to ensure gaming firms have access to labs, studios, co-working, and accelerator spaces. • Support initiatives that facilitate infrastructure improvements aligned with game development and eSports needs. • Collaborate on policy advocacy to improve access to high-speed connectivity, hardware resources, and testing environments. • Identify market trends and share data with planning and strategy units to shape future ecosystem planning. • Monitor access barriers for development and expansion of gaming businesses and provide insights to Head of Business Development (Gaming) to remove friction points. • Advocate for initiatives that support esports arena development, developer workspaces, and VFX/gaming studio upgrades. • Track infrastructure usage and identify areas for improvement or expansion. 5. Export Readiness and IP Enablement • Guide gaming businesses through the IP protection process in partnership with the Ministry of Economy. • Promote export readiness through education, advisory, and practical support for localization, licensing, and distribution, working with legal teams as required. • Stay up to date on international gaming buyer and publisher networks to facilitate matchmaking. • Support startup pitch readiness for international co-production, funding, and distribution opportunities. • Track export success and share success stories through internal and external platforms. 6. Measurement and Reporting • Collect, monitor, and report KPIs related to business development, such as number of supported businesses, partnerships formed, and export outcomes. • Conduct post-event debriefs and business satisfaction surveys. • Track ROI of support programs and recommend areas of improvement. • Prepare regular reports on emerging trends and the state of the Dubai gaming business landscape. • Contribute to annual ecosystem health assessments and strategic plans. Job Specifications Key Interactions & Nature of Interaction Internal: • Collaborate with Talent Development (Gaming) and Investment & Projects (Gaming) for integrated ecosystem support for gaming businesses. • Coordinate with Marketing & Communications for event promotion and visibility campaigns External: • Collaborate with gaming studios, publishers, esports tournament organizers, and global gaming accelerators • Work closely with government entities, regulatory partners, infrastructure developers, and international investors • Partner with industry expos, conferences, and forums relevant to gaming innovation and development Technical Skills • Proficient: Business development strategy in gaming and/or digital tech sectors • Proficient: Gaming business models, global trends, and ecosystems • Proficient: Internal and external stakeholder management • Proficient: Knowledge of digital infrastructure requirements for gaming and gaming events • Proficient: Pitch development and partnership negotiations • Proficient: Market analysis, sector mapping, and reporting • Proficient: Export enablement and IP processes • Proficient: Command of written and spoken Arabic and English Qualifications Experience Required Functional Experience • 5+ years in gaming, digital media, or tech sector business development • Experience supporting gaming startups through strategic partnership growth, program implementation, and ecosystem development. Leadership/Supervisory • NA Education and Qualification Required • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Media, Gaming, Public Policy or related field • Certifications in digital transformation or gaming strategy preferred Key Performance Indicators • Strategic Partnership Projects – Number of

5+ years in gaming, digital media, or tech sector business development. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Media, Gaming, Public Policy or related field. Certifications in digital transformation or gaming strategy preferred.

General Responsibilities: Implement the operational requirements for Business Development (Gaming), in line with the overall Business Development (Gaming) strategy, vision and goals; Work collaboratively with the Business Development (Gaming) team and wider Gaming department to ensure smooth and on-time delivery of services to gaming businesses; Provide metrics and supporting documents to the Head of Business Development (Gaming), to support with the monthly KPI reports. Local Business Support and Ecosystem Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison for Dubai-based gaming companies, understanding their growth stage, challenges, and opportunities; Support businesses in accessing government programs such as grants, tax incentives, funding tools, and development support; Recommend customized interventions based on business needs, linking to relevant internal departments; Build sector-specific directories and maintain updated profiles of gaming businesses to inform initiatives and matchmaking; Identify barriers to growth and propose systemic improvements to enable ecosystem development. Partnerships and International Outreach: Facilitate partnerships between local gaming companies and global game publishers, platforms, and service providers; Coordinate local participation in international expos and pitch Dubai-based talent, games, and gaming businesses; Source and secure speaking and representation opportunities for Dubai gaming companies in global gaming forums; Track international partnership outcomes and conversions into long-term growth and visibility for local gaming businesses; Develop feedback loops with represented gaming businesses to improve future representation and support mechanisms. Infrastructure and Ecosystem Enablement: Work with infrastructure partners and other government entities to ensure gaming firms have access to labs, studios, co-working, and accelerator spaces; Support initiatives that facilitate infrastructure improvements aligned with game development and eSports needs; Collaborate on policy advocacy to improve access to high-speed connectivity, hardware resources, and testing environments; Identify market trends and share data with planning and strategy units to shape future ecosystem planning; Monitor access barriers for development and expansion of gaming businesses and provide insights to Head of Business Development (Gaming) to remove friction points; Advocate for initiatives that support esports arena development, developer workspaces, and VFX/gaming studio upgrades; Track infrastructure usage and identify areas for improvement or expansion. Export Readiness and IP Enablement: Guide gaming businesses through the IP protection process in partnership with the Ministry of Economy; Promote export readiness through education, advisory, and practical support for localization, licensing, and distribution, working with legal teams as required; Stay up to date on international gaming buyer and publisher networks to facilitate matchmaking; Support startup pitch readiness for international co-production, funding, and distribution opportunities; Track export success and share success stories through internal and external platforms. Measurement and Reporting: Collect, monitor, and report KPIs related to business development, such as number of supported businesses, partnerships formed, and export outcomes; Conduct post-event debriefs and business satisfaction surveys; Track ROI of support programs and recommend areas of improvement; Prepare regular reports on emerging trends and the state of the Dubai gaming business landscape; Contribute to annual ecosystem health assessments and strategic plans.